Sweetie

Decided to fight sleep this afternoon, for fear of keeping awake into Monday morning. So I tagged along to have a look at Sweetie's new place (she's my youngest and dearest aunt, also moving to the same block of flats as us). Surprised at how breezy her kitchen will be - it's as if there's a wind tunnel running through her kitchen right out into the service yard. Cool, literally.

Sweetie is a very important part of our lives. Since we were kids (i.e. Karate Kid & I), she's been like a second mother to us. I have photos reminding me of the times when she would singlehandedly take me downtown to see the Christmas lights and take 'vainpot' pictures. She's in at least half of all our childhood pictures, and when we look back at them, we laugh like hyenas at how Sweetie's and Finance Minister's hairstyles and dress sense have evolved.

Sweetie never did very much school. She also tends to be more trusting of people than less. So, life has been a struggle. I recall Sweetie taking on different kinds of jobs - her years at a sports shop doing sales leaving the most lasting impression, though she's been at her occupational therapy one for many years now. Whatever happened/happens, she just has to 'loong' (put up with it). And on many occasions through her many jobs, people have taken advantage of her kindness and good heart, cheating her of money as well as friendship.

Above being kind to a fault, what strikes me about Sweetie is her sacrificial nature. Although she is the youngest of all my aunts and uncles, she has been the one taking care of Ma-ma. I guess you could say God ensured she was up to it by equipping her through her therapy job. Still, it's not easy being the sole caregiver and companion for an elderly lady who is not very mobile. I look at how Sweetie takes care of Ma-ma and I say, this is love.

So it's quite amazing today to see Sweetie walk around her flat with her contractor, trying to decide what to do. For someone who has struggled so much, given up much more, and managed with so little, it's a real achievement to own a flat. And now to do it up! Wow. She so deserves it.

There'll never be another person like my Sweetie.